Have a 2006 model year 2.5 XT Forester, and am interested to learn at what mileage should the cambelt be replaced? Read more

In the continuing search for a car to replace the wife's Getz, I'm still trying to come up with viable options. Everytime I find a car I think suitable, something puts me off. So far, I've discounted an Almera (timing chain and want something newer) and I've got cold feet about a Grand Punto.

Noe looking at Renault Modus (the Nissan Note is considerably more expensive) and a fairly high spec C3 (VTR?). Opinions and horror stories welcome. Budget £5-6000 Read more

Hi all,

Before Christmas my fiesta's engine cut out on me when a was slowing down to a junction.

Recently, this happened again - in the same circumstances. On both occasions, it has been in the early morning first run.

I have also noticed what appears to be a black splodge in the coolant. I don't think its oil (that floats?!).

The coolant level does not see to have gone down, maybe by a fraction of a millimetre in the 3 months i have had the car.

The car has 53k on the clock and no other problems,

I am hoping this is not HGF...

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance Read more

Toying with the idea of replacing our 2002 Civic 1.6 auto used by Mrs Manatee. To be honest, there's nothing wrong with it, bar a few battle scars, but if we can get a decent deal we might swap it.

What she really likes about the Civic is the brilliant interior space front and rear, and the airiness of the cabin - these are missing from the new Civic. She is also a convert to automatic transmission and climate control.

We've just had a look at a Roomster and she's impressed - lots of space for all the stuff she carts around from time to time.

Automatic in Roomsters means a 1.6 16V 105bhp Tiptronic . Fuel economy isn't really an issue as she does about 7,000 miles a year.

We've booked the test drive for next week in a 1.6 Fabia auto - mechanically similar, they haven't an automatic Roomster for us to drive.

The Skoda website is a bit useless - according to that, the transmission is a six speed auto but also has a "hydraulic single dry clutch plate with membrane spring, asbestos free" - I was hitherto under the impression that "Tiptronic" is now VAG-speak for a torque converter auto? The salesman couldn't explain the difference between the Tiptronic and the DSG save to say they do the same thing, and you get one in petrols and the other in diesels. A torque converter is my preference anyway for this car.

Any thoughts on this, especially the engine which neither the website nor the brochure give any information about other than output, cylinder dimensions and compression ratio? The belt cam is a drawback (shared by the Honda, but theirs aren't renowned for breaking). I think it's standard Bosch MP injection rather than the varnish-accreting GDI /FSI type?

Is climate control a worthwhile upgrade on these or does it just introduce something else to go wrong? I have a vague recollection that VAG climate control is dodgy.

Nice as it would be to treat Mrs M, I don't want to replace the Honda with anything that's likely to be more troublesome! Nothing, 0, has gone wrong with the Honda in five and a half years. Read more

Went to look at a V reg Nissan Primera yesterday. It was a 2L auto. Very good condition and very nice to drive. However, because I got there just after 3pm by the time I had a good look around it it was dark when I took it for a drive.
I took it for a drive and when I came back I parked and notice the oil light was faintly flickering, not just this light was the problem. I noticed every 15 seconds or so all lights that were on inside and out would flicker (dim) for less than 1/4 second.

Could this be a straight forward fault or should I walk away now and find another one?

Thanks for any help.
Read more